Oklahoma Indian tribes are among those applauding approval this week by the U.S. House of a bill to help the nation’s tribes spur more energy development.
Approval of the Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act came Monday on a voice vote in the House and means tribes will have more control of their own energy development.
“The Sac and Fox Nation has significant energy resources within its historical reservation boundaries,including the ‘Pipeline Capital of the World’ in Cushing,” said Principal Chief Kay Rhoads of the Sac and Fox Nation. “The enactment of S. 245 will give tribes the assistance we need to assume mineral leasing responsibilities from the federal government through tribal energy resource agreements.”
Rhoads said that streamlining the lease approval processes will also make tribal lands more attractive to outside energy producers and investors “advancing the opportunities for tribal economic development.”
North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven, chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs authored the measure that is now on its way to the President to be signed into law.
“This legislation empowers Tribes to manage their own energy resources, cuts red tape, drives economic growth and promotes energy development for Indian Country. It streamlines the process for Tribes to enter into Tribal Energy Resource Agreements (TERAs) with the Department of the Interior (DOI),” said Hoeven. “TERAs facilitate more tribal control by authorizing tribal contracts, leases, and rights-of-ways for energy development without unnecessary, cumbersome federal bureaucracy. “
He said the bill will help level the playing field for Tribes so that they can participate, if they choose, in the booming energy market.
- Directs the Department of the Interior (DOI) to provide Indian tribes with technical assistance in planning their energy resource development programs.
- Expands the Department of Energy (DOE) Indian energy education planning and management assistance program.
- Amends the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to give Tribes, in addition to states and municipalities, preference for the receipt of preliminary hydroelectric licenses.
- Creates at least four new biomass projects to be implemented for Tribes and Alaska Native corporations, in order to promote biomass energy production.
Alvin Not Afraid, Jr., chairman of the Crow Tribe of Indians called it an important milestone toward Tribal sovereignty and self-determination.
It also drew praise from Lt. Gov. Jefferson Keel, who is President of the National Congress of American Indians.
“Tribal energy resources have great potential to create jobs, offset rising energy costs, and provide sustainable, long-term economic growth,” he said.